Body Systems & Homeostasis Flashcards
stem cell
undifferentiated/unspecialized cells which can self-renew and develop into various cell types
cell differentiation
stem cells specialize and become specialized cells
gene expression
process where specific genes are expressed which dictates how a cell differentiates and functions
cell potency
a cell’s ability to differentiate into other cell types
totipotent
capable of differentiating into any cell type (e.g. zygote)
pluripotent
capable of differentiating into three germ layers (e.g. embryonic stem cell)
multipotent
capable of differentiating into limited cell types (e.g. adult stem cell)
unipotent
capable of differentiating into one cell type (e.g. somatic cell)
hierarchy of multicellular organisms
specialized cell → tissue → organ → system → organism
homeostasis
process where organisms maintain stable internal environments to maintain an optimal range for metabolism
negative feedback
homeostatic mechanism which employs receptors and effectors to achieve equilibrium and balance by reversing the direction of the stimulus
receptors
sensors which detect changes in both internal and external environments
thermoreceptor
temperature stimulus (e.g. skin)
chemoreceptor
specific chemical compounds stimuli (e.g. taste bud)
photoreceptor
light stimulus (e.g. eye)
mechanoreceptor
touch & pressure stimuli (e.g. skin)
nociceptor
pain stimulus (e.g. skin)
electroreceptor
electricity stimulus (e.g. skin)
osmoreceptor
osmotic pressure stimulus (e.g. hypothalamus)
baroreceptor
blood pressure stimulus (e.g. blood vessel)
effectors
muscles or glands which respond to receptors to correct imbalance
homeostasis in the body
nervous (electrical impulses) & endocrine (hormones) systems
small sa:v ratio
structural - mitigates heat loss through diffusion
fat/blubber
structural - traps heat through insulation
large vascularized ears
structural - augments heat loss through a large surface area & many blood vessels
brown adipose tissue
structural - generates heat by converting stored fat